Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-11


There Is a suspicious coincidence between the
uproar over the Presidents proposed visit to St
Louis during the Grand ArmyS encampment next
fall, and the preparation of new pauper pension
bill TO be laid before that body For several years
certain members OF the G. A R. have tried to COM
nit the grand encampment to the support OF a
service pension scheme, but have been vigorously
choked OF in every instance. The element that
has been upperTnOst thus far in the great yeter-
ans organization has favored the principle that
the government should be generous toward those
who fought In It's Defense and whose patriotism
has put them In need OF help; but It has felt no
sympathy with the wholesale raid OF the claim
agents upon the Federal treasury. Last year, be-
fore the Presidents policy In general pension mat
ters was thoroughly understood, he received a
most cordial invitation TO San Francisco for en-
campment week; and much regret was expressed,
not only by the citizens but by prominent dele
gates TO the convention, at his decinatiOn. There
may have been then. in the minds OF some OF the
pauper pension agttatOrs, secret hope Of being
able TO commit him by indirectio1 to course OF
conduct in harmony with their designs This year
they not only recognize the folly OF such schemes,
but they fear lest his presence In ST. Louis while
the encampment is In progress would have de-
pressing effect on the plans they have arranged
for capturing it in the interests Of their new BILL
Hence the excitement. This Is time when every
comrade who has the real welfare OF the Grand
Army at heart should exert himself to see that
the antf-pauperzing majority keeps its grip well
fastened on the organization The claim specula-
tors have their scouts out in force. and If the good
men relax their vigilance, the bad men Will get
control. 1t is OF trifiing consequence, compare
lively, whether the President spends eneampment
week at st. Louis or In Washington, or on Saranac
Lake. But Il is OF vast Importance whether the
Grand Army maintains its position resOlutely out
side OF partisan politics. and aloof from every plot
and project to degrade the independent spirit of
the soldiers OF the Union.
In another column a: policeman advances the
novel theory that an officer may steal from the
reservations flowers which he protects against
every one else; or rather that abstraction by him
Is not stealing, but an act to be treated like the
permissible munching Of a casual apple from the
stock by grocers clerk. 1t Is to be hoped that
the principle, which seems to prevail In some Of
the large cities that policemen by being author
hed TO enforce the law against others are placed
above 1t themselves will not make much
Roadway In Washington. Judging from the record
OF the trials of New York policemen before COM
missioner Ii appears that some officers In that
city have the idea and encouraged In It, that II
they suppress the assaults of others they may
follow and knock down a man who laughs and
points bis umbrella In mockery at one of their
front window Of a restaurant In order to 1nvesti-
gate q possible burglary may in the alb
senee Of the proprietor help themselves
to drinks at the bar. OF course, on the
same principle an oficer protecting the property
of . bank may slyly pocket a handful OF small
change, and policeman protecting flowers may
secretly appropriate few, though he break
bush or tree 20 do so. This idea viii not be popu-
lar here but there is suggestion in the New York
hca
City. Policemen's trials there are public and
thoroughly reported. Under the secret system of
trial which prevails In this District it viii be diff
ncult for the public to tell how far the members
OF our police force are tainted with the notion
that q policeman cannot violate the law. We
need New YOrk'S system Of open trial, but not
New Torks infallible and omnipotent policeman
The best way TO get rid Of the difficulties of the
Indian question Is toget lid of the Indian question
ttSslf II was with this end in view that Congress
passed the law to allot their lands TO the indiana
IN severalty, with certain restrictions upon the
power TO ALLEVIATE them for a term of years. In
time. 1t Is hoped, the red man may reach grade
Of CIVILIZATION where he Will be at for citizenship
When that day comes there win no longer be an
Indian question, any more than French question
or German question or Hebrew question And
the nrst step toward making the American abr.
rhyme something better than food for carbine rul-
lets Is TO teach him respect for the rights Of ron
srty. At present he Is communist Like most
Q hts white brethren Of the same persuar don no
nyss without work, and Is quite willing
to continue doing so for all time The
arss incentive TO labor comes from a de.
sfro for the Individual possessions which
are the fruit Of labor. Until the Indian can be
taught what it means to own sG,methinp. he win
never b persuaded to earn any thing. The tribal
syssem, while IL maintains communism for Its
fundamental principle, nevertheless throws the
bulk OF authority In matters OF business into the
hands Of the great chiefs, who become practically
despots. They lease the lands or whole tr1hes tn
white cattletnen, and OF the paltry rent obtained
Appropriate the larger share themselves This
Easy road 70 comfort viii be closed against them
oy the Severalty law, under which each Indians
fights and privileges are restricted to his own
land It Is natural, therefore that the chiefs
should join with the cattlemen In the effort no,n
making to prevent the enforcement OF the act. It
Is equally natural that every far-sghted friend of
the Indian should urge its enforcement to the
letter. The same pleas that are made now can he
made ten years hence, and twenty and ffty. and
hundred, with just as much pertinency: and II
they be permitted TO prevail, what is TO prevent
the survival OF the present Ubiquitous system with
It's periodic outbreaks Of murder, war and pfilape
un the Indians are exterminated by the powSer
and ball Of United States troops ana their owr
6aroarOus excuses: